The 10 Best Places to Visit in Bali (2026 Local’s Guide)

Short answer: The 10 best places to visit in Bali are Uluwatu Temple, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, Tanah Lot, the Mount Batur sunrise trek, Nusa Penida, Sekumpul Waterfall, Seminyak’s beach clubs, the Lempuyang “Gates of Heaven”, and Canggu. Together they cover Bali’s temples, rice country, waterfalls, islands and beach scene — enough for a complete 7–10 day first visit.

1. Uluwatu Temple & the Kecak Fire Dance

Perched on a 70-metre clifftop on Bali’s southern Bukit Peninsula, Pura Luhur Uluwatu is the island’s most dramatic sea temple. Arrive for late afternoon, explore the cliff path (watch your belongings — the resident monkeys are notorious thieves), then stay for the open-air Kecak fire dance at sunset. Entrance is roughly 50,000 IDR; the dance ticket is around 150,000 IDR.

2. Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Just north of Ubud, Tegallalang is the postcard image of Bali — emerald terraces carved into a steep valley using the centuries-old subak irrigation system. Go early (before 9am) to walk the terraces in soft light and relative quiet. Small donations are collected by farmers along the path.

3. Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud

A 12-hectare nature reserve and temple complex in central Ubud, home to around 1,000 long-tailed macaques. It’s an easy, atmospheric walk among moss-covered statues and banyan roots. Don’t bring loose food or sunglasses. We’ve written a full honest review of the Monkey Forest if you want the details before you go.

4. Tanah Lot Temple

Bali’s most photographed temple sits on a rocky outcrop that becomes an island at high tide. It’s busy and commercial, but the sunset silhouette is genuinely iconic. Time your visit for the hour before sunset and accept that you’ll share it with a crowd.

5. Mount Batur Sunrise Trek

An active volcano in the central highlands, Batur is Bali’s most popular trek. The roughly two-hour pre-dawn climb (starting around 3:30–4am) rewards you with sunrise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung. Go with a licensed guide; expect to pay around 400,000–600,000 IDR including transport.

6. Nusa Penida

A rugged island a 45-minute fast-boat ride from Sanur, Nusa Penida delivers Bali’s most spectacular coastline — the T-Rex-shaped Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach. Roads are rough; book a driver or a guided day tour and start early.

7. Sekumpul Waterfall

Widely considered Bali’s most beautiful waterfall, Sekumpul is a cluster of cascades deep in the northern jungle near Singaraja. Reaching the base involves a steep stairway and a river crossing, so wear proper shoes. A guide and entrance fee total roughly 125,000 IDR.

8. Seminyak Beach & Beach Clubs

For sunset cocktails and a polished beach scene, Seminyak is the heart of it — think Potato Head, Ku De Ta and a long sweep of sand. Pair it with dinner; see our guides to the best restaurants in Seminyak and the best luxury hotels in Seminyak.

9. Lempuyang Temple — the “Gates of Heaven”

In east Bali, Pura Lempuyang’s split gate frames Mount Agung in the distance — one of the island’s most famous photo spots. Note the “reflection” in viral photos is created with a mirror under the phone; the temple itself is a serious pilgrimage site, so dress and behave respectfully. Expect a queue for the photo.

10. Canggu

Bali’s surf-and-cafe capital, Canggu suits visitors who want black-sand beach breaks, specialty coffee and a buzzy social scene over temples. It’s also the island’s digital-nomad hub — see our guides to coworking spaces in Bali and working remotely from Bali.

How many days do you need?

A first trip that covers the highlights comfortably runs 7 to 10 days: base 3–4 nights in the Ubud area for culture and rice country, then 3–5 nights in the south (Seminyak, Canggu or Uluwatu) for beaches, with a day trip to Nusa Penida. Trying to do all ten in under a week means long drives and little rest — Bali is bigger and slower to cross than the map suggests.

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